Dynamo sign defender Jermaine Taylor

The Houston Dynamo have acquired defender Jermaine Taylor from Jamaican club St. George’s, it was announced today. Per team and league policy, terms of the transaction and of Taylor’s contract were not disclosed. Upon receipt of his international transfer certificate and approval of a P-1 visa, Taylor will occupy an international roster slot.

Taylor, 26, has been capped 37 times by Jamaica and helped lead the Reggae Boyz to the 2010 Digicel Caribbean Cup championship, playing alongside current Dynamo midfielder Lovel Palmer. Taylor played all 510 minutes of the tournament – five games, including two overtime games, in nine days – and helped Jamica allow only three goals in the tournament.

“We saw Jermaine at the Digicel Cup and in a friendly against Costa Rica,” Dynamo head coach Dominic Kinnear said. “He’s a good defender, he’s good on the ball, and he’s good in the air. I think he’s a player who can be a good defender in this league.”

Taylor began his professional career with Harbour View in 2004 at the age of 19 and played there until moving to St. George’s in 2009. His cousin, Fabian Taylor, played in Major League Soccer for the MetroStars in 2004.

The Dynamo’s 2011 MLS regular season opener is set for Saturday, March 19, at 7:30 p.m. against the Philadelphia Union at Robertson Stadium. Tickets are available at HoustonDynamo.com.

The Houston Dynamo are a Major League Soccer club that has won two MLS Cup championships in its first five seasons and represented the United States in international competition four consecutive years from 2007-10. For more information, log on to www.HoustonDynamo.com or call (713) 276-7500.